Educational device



June 8 1926.

E. R. TILLINGHAST EDUCATIONAL DEVICE A TTORNEYS Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,587,685 PATENT OFFICE.

'ELBERT R. TILLINGHAST, OF UPPER MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

EDUCATIONAL DEVICE.

Application filed June 5, 1923. Serial No. 848,598.

This invention relatestoeducational devices and particularly to devicesby means 1 lasting impression the advice makes upon so that the membersof the frame ma given relative movement toward and ram him. An object ofthis invention is to provide a mechanical device for use in instruc-'tion in the playing of variousgames and for like purposes, which may beused'as apart of a self-instruction system or may be used advantageouslyin connection with direct instruction by a tutor; which will develop thejudgment of the student and effectively impress upon him the rules andprinciples of a game; with which the likelihood of the student obtainingthe advice before makin a decision is reducedto a minimum; whic issimple, convenient and relatively inexpen-.

slve.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following descrition of embodiments of the invention, and t e novel features will beparticularly pointed out hereinafter in claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance withthe invention:

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; v Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryrear elevation of the same, on a slightly larger scale than Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section of the same taken substantially along'the line 5-5of Fig. 3;,

Fig. 6 is another section of the same taken substantially along the line6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a'face view of one of the discs carrying a set ofinstructions;

Fig. 8 is a similar side of the same; an.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a modified embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated particularly in Figures1' to 8, I proview of the opposite vide a frame composed of front andrear sections or members 1 and 2 which are connected along abuttingedges by a hinge}? one another about the hinge. Preferably the hinge 3permits a limited movement of one of the members laterally over the faceof the other for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. A prop 3 ishinged to the rear member 2 of the frame for movement about an axisextending at right angles to the hinged edge of the member 2, so thatthe prop may either lie flat against the rear face of the member 2 or beswung outward I 1y into a substantially vertical plane at right anglesto the member 2 when the latter is supported, along the hinged edge,upon a suitable supporting surface. \Vhen the prop is in its outer orangular position relatively to the member 2, it will support the flameinan inclined position as shown in Figure 3.

A bail 4 is connected by bearings 5 to the frame member 2 so as'to berotatable thereon about an axis extending at right angles to the axis ofthe rop 3". The bail is attached to. the mem er 2 so that it may beswung downwardly over the prop 3 when the latter is at right angles tothe frame.

The intermediate portion of the bail 4 is made U-shaped, as at 6. sothat when the bail is swung downwardly it willpass over the prep 3, withthe U-shaped portion 6 embracing the outer edge portion of the prop tohold it in its outward or angular position relatively to the frame. Theprop 3 is preferably provided with an aperture 7 adjacent its outer edgeportion embraced by the U-sha ed portion of the bail, and the latter att e ends of the U-shaped portion, is bent inwardly, as at 8,that is, theopposite sides toward one another,'- so that when the bail is. moveddownwardly over the prop so as to cause the U-shaped ortion of the bailto embrace the prop, t e inbent portions 8 of the bail will s ring intothe aperture 7 and yieldiiold the bail against movement out of embracingrelation with the prop.

A sleeve 9, which is externally and peripherally flanged at both ends,passes through a small disc 10 so'a's to be confined therein by theflanges. The disc 10 is secured in any suitable manner to the inner insface of the front frame member lat its central po'rtion,.so asto'ext'endtherefromtoward' the rear member 2. The latter is provided with avertically disposed keyhole aperture 11 with the wider part uppers most.-When the front member 1 is brought narrow part of the keyhole aperture11. When the member 1 is elevated slightly,

the flange of the sleeve will pass through' the wide part of theaperturell, whereupon if the member 1 is dropped,.- the shank 'of thehole aperture.

the sleeve 9 will pass into the narrow part of It will be understood, ofcourse, that the wide part of the aperture 11 will permitthe flange ofthe sleeve 9- to pass, and the narrow part will permit the shank of thesleeve to pass, but not the flange. Therefore, when the members of theframe are brought together and the shank of the sleeve 9 is'within thenarrow part of the aperture 11, the members Will be locked againstseparation by reason of the engagement of the flangeat the rear end ofthe sleeve with the rear face of the member 2.

A disc 12 is shown mounted in the frame but any number of these discsmay be provided for each frame, and each disc has a central aperture 13of a diameter greater than the diameter of the flange at the projectingend of the sleeve 9. Thus when the front member 1 is swung forwardlyabout the hinge element 3 into a substantially horizontal position, thesleeve 9 W111 project upwardly therefrom. Oneof the discs 12 may then beplaced upon the upper face 'of the member 1, with the sleeve 9 passingthrough the aperture 13 of the disc.

Whenthe member 1 is swung rearwardly andupwardly, and placed in lockingengagement with the member 2, the disc 12 will be held upon thesleeve-by the flange thereof, and will'be free to rotate thereon. Thesleeve 9, therefore, acts as a pivot pin for the discs 12 which areinterchangeable and removably mounted thereon. The front member of theframe is provided with a sight opening or notch 1 in its upper edgethrough which portions of the discs will be visible. The rear member 2.may also have a notch 2 in its upper 'edgeand aligned with the notch 1so as to facilitate grasping of the front member and disc.

The rear member may also have the u per corner edges cut off, as at 2",to facilitate grasping of the front member.

Each disc 12 is. provided upon a central portion of one face thereofwith a reference designation 14 of a hand or deal of playing cards, andwith designations 15 of the cards constituting a particular deal orhand. It

I vwill be understood that the deal or hand to as hand 9, and thedesignations 15 indicate the cards which are to be considered asconstituting that particular hand in a game.

This hand 9, as indicated, consists of the king, 9, 4 and ace ofdiamonds, the ace,

'ack,4 and 3 of. spades, the ace, 4 and 7 of carts, and the ace, jack.and 8 of clubs,

sent, in a counter-clockwise direction, the

directions as to the most approved or correct manner of proceeding inplaying the game with the hand represented upon the opposite face of thedisc. Centrally of the face 'of the disc shown in Fi re 8, designations17 and 18 are provi ed representing, respectively, another possiblehandand the cards which may constitute it. The opposite face of this disc,which is shown in Figure 7, is provided-around its periphery withdivisions 19, which correspond to the divisions 16. One of thedivisions, such as 19', indicates that the instructions upon thatface ofthe disc relate to the hand 21 which is given upon the opposite face ofthe disc as shown in Figure 8. The other divisions. 19 contain,successively, in a counter-clockwise direction, advice as to thepreferable bids and plays which the student should follow during theprogress of the game.

1? way of illustration, the disc 12 shown in. igures 7 and 8 carries thedesignations of possible hands and instructions. for their use, inconnection with theplaying of the game of auction bridge, but it'will beunderstood that this is for the purpose of explanation only, and thatthe principle of the invention is applicable to instructions for theplaying of various other games. A supporting frame and set of discs areprovided for each player, and in the game of auction bridge there will,of course, be four players. Each player is also preferably providedwitha full deck of 52 cards, and the different sets preferably have backs ofdistinctive colors or designs.

Each player will their select a disc from his set,for example, the. onemarked and intended for use in playing hand 21. Four discs will thus bein use for paying hand 21'.

The disc used by each of the players and designated as hand 21, willnot, of course, have the same. cards represented thereon as appear onthe other three discs but will have represented onit the cards whichmight possibly havebeen allotted to him in the dealing ofthe cards inthe usual manner in the game."

disc which is shown in Figures Each player moves the front member 1 ofthe frame u'pwardlto unlock it from the rear member 2, an then forwardlyinto a Substantially horizontal position. He then places the selecteddisc upon the upper face of the front member 1 and over the sleeve 9,with the central designation of the hand 21 facing upwardly, and withthe division 16 in alignment with the sight opening 1. Each player thenselects from his particular deck of cards, those cards which arespecified by the central designation 18 of the upper face of the disc,as constituting the hand or deal which he is to play. The front member 1is then swung upwardly againstthe rear member of the frame .andinterlocked therewith by hooking the flange of the sleeve throngh..tl1ekeyhole aperture 11. The division 19, which is opposite the division 16"willbe visible through the sight opening 1 and, indicates that theinstructrons upon that face relate to the hand or a deal 21. It will beunderstood, of course, that each disc 12 has indications of card handsonboth faces thereof, and that'the indications of the cards in aparticular hand are upon one face while the instructions .for biddingand playing that hand are upon the opposite face.

The game is ing'the dealers hand maklng a bid or pass ing. Assuming thatthe player havin the 7 and 8 is the dealer, he will decide first as besthe can, what the bid should-be. After having made his decision, he willturn the disc'clockwise for a distance corresponding with the width ofone division, which brings the next division 19 into view through t 1esight opening 1". This indicates that the first bid should be one heartand is'the bidthat'the player will make. If'this bid does not correspondwith the players previously formed opinion, and theplayer wishes to knowthe reason why his decision regarding the proper bid is wrong; he willfind in division 19 a designation 20 reading R1 indicating that thereason for this play. is explained under rule 1 found in a separate bookof rules andex planations which accompanies the device. The player may,then refer to this rule-and learn why, under the existing conditions, itis advisable to bid one heart.

Each player in succession makes his bid in the same manner. When thefirst player is called upon to again bid, he first makes a decision asto what he should do, and then turns the disc to bring a second"division 19 into view through the sight opening. This new divisionindicates that three hearts should be bid and is the bid which theplayer will make. In case these instructions do not agree with thejudgment of the player he will find the designation 20 thereon whichrefers to rule 2 of the separate then started by the one havset ofrules, to which he may refer for an explanation of why the bid of threehearts should. be made. The other players in succession make their bidsin the same manner, and after all have passed and the actual playingbegins, the same process-is fo'lowed are based on the assumption thateach player will play properly, and a wrong play, that is, one contraryto theinstrnctions, will so alter the situation as to nullify the valueof the succeeding instructions.

Certain of the divisions will also contain designations 21 which referto"explanations by number, and these explanations are also contained inthe separate set of rules and instructions. -These may be referred to bythe player for --a complete explanation of the reasons why the playadvised in that division is the preferable one. After the particular"hand or deal has been completely played, each player selects'a newdisc'representlng a new deal, and proceeds as above explained. inconnection with-the playing of I the cards forthe hand or deal 21.

When a single player desires. to learn the game alone, he mayvtake fourof the frames and sets of discs and assemble them the same as would thefour, Players. That is, if he decides to lay the deal 21, for example,the disc of ,eac set corresponding to this deal will be placed in thecorresponding frames,

and the player will select the cards correspondingto each hand, whichcards are indicated asthe hand upon oneof'the discs. The player takesthe selected cards and makes his decisions as before, and in order todetermine what the play of each of the other hands is, he turns thediscs corresponding to the other hands to bring the divisions 19 thereofsuccessively into view.

The indications thereon will show; the plays which aprudent player wouldhave madeif holding that particular hand and will be assumed as theplays and bids which are really'rn'ade. Since only one division 19 is'visible at any time, the player will not know in advancewhat cards areheld by the dummy players (represented by the devices) or what the orderof playing of their cards will be. The player also will not be able tosee the instructions for his own plays until upon the front member 1,the instructions of the front member.

for the'plays to *be made will be upon the under face and'therefore thelayer will not be likely to see in advance t e mstructions for thathand; a

modified device is illustrated. In this embodiment, a tab. 22'

. In Figure '9, a slightly may be secured to the front member 23 of theframe to facilitate the aspingand moving oth members of the frame mayalso be provided with notches 24 adjacent their lower edges at eachsides, so

as to provide a horizontal surface, slightly concave, in which a fingermay be placed for steadying the frame while the disc is being rotated.The discs 12* may also be provided with peripheral notches 25 to preventslippage of the.fingers of the player thereover when they are rotated.

' be made It will be obvious that various changes in the details andarrangement of parts herein described and illustrated for the purpose ofexplainin the nature of the invention may y those skilled in the artwithin the principle and scope of the invention as .expressed in theappended claims.

= I claim:

. 1. An educational device for instruction in playing games comprising aframe having a or order in w ich' the plays or moves should be made,said front wall having a sight a erturetherein through which theindications are successivel visible when the disc is rotated upon sa1dpivot with the indication carrying face disposed against the front wal1.

2. An educational device for instruction in la in ames comprisinga'frame' havin a fruit ga l} articulately connected thereto for movementtoward and from the same, a display element, means carried by the rearface of the front wall for su porting said element for movementrelatively thereto, said front wall having a sight opening through whichportions of the element pass successively when relative movement of theelement and front wall occurs, sa1d element having, upon the portions ofits face that may be brought into visibility throu h the sight opening,a plurality of indiceatlons of advisable moves or plays to be ma eby aplayerholding a selected possible hand or playing condition.

3. An educational device for instruction in playing games comprising'aframe havlng a front wall articulately connected thereto formovementtowardzand from the same ,-a dlsplay element, means carried by the rearface of the front wall for supporting-said element for movementrelatively thereto,

said front, wall havinga sight opening through which port-ions of theelementpass successively when relative movement of the element and frontwall occurs, said element having, upon the portions of its face that mabe brought into visibility through the S15 t opening, a plurality ofindications of a vlsable moves or plays to be made by-a player holding ase ected possible hand or playing condition, said element having uponits other face identification conditions for which the. indications applwhereby one can identify the element and a framewithout exposing to VIEWthe face contalnmg the advice relating to the procedure to e followed.

4. An educational device for instruction 1n pla ing games comprising twomembers hinge together so as to move toward and from one another,book-like, means for su porting said members at the hinged edge 1n aninclined position .upon a suitablesupporting surface, whereby one of themembers can be swung upwardly and forwardly from the other member aboutits hinged connection thereto, a disc pivotally and removably mountedupon the inner face of the movable member, said movable member having asight openin therein through which a portion of the isc is visible, saiddisc havin upon the face lying against the movable member, a pluralit ofindications of the advisable order of p aying procedure for a selectedpossible playing condition that may confront a player and whichindications may be brought successively into view through the sightopening when the disc is pply it to the gi'ven increments of rotation,whereby the disc may be applied to the movable member and the lattermoved into contact with the other member without likelihood of observingthe instructions thereon.

5. An educational device for instruction in playing games comprising twomembers hinged together so as to move toward and from one another,book-like, means for supporting said members at the hinged. edge in' aninclined position upon a suitable supporting surface, whereby one of themembers can be swung upwardly and forwardly from the other member aboutits hinged connection thereto, .a disc pivotally and removably mountedupon the inner face of the movable member, said movable membef having asight opening therein through which a portion of the disc is visible,said disc having, upon the face lying against the movable member, aplurality of indications of the advisable order of playing procedure fora selected possible playing condition that may confront a player andwhich indications may member having a sight openin time be broughtsuccessively into view through the sight opening when the disc is ivenincrements of rotation, whereby the isc'may be applied to the'movablemember and the latter moved into contact with the other member withoutlikelihood of observing the instructions thereon, said disc having uponits other face suitable identification charac-' ters by which one mayidentify the hand or playing condition to which the instructions ingfrom the inner face of the relatively moving -member, a disc removablyand rotatably mounted upon said pin, said movable therein through whicha portion of the disc is visible, said disc having, upon the face lyingagainst the indications o 1 procedure for a selected possible playing'condition that may confront'a player and which indications may be brouht successively into view through the sig t opening when the disc isgiven increments of rotation, whereby the disc may be applied to themovable member and the latter moved into contact with the other memberwithout likelihood of observing the instructions thereon, said pinextending through the abutting face of the relatively stationary memberwhen the members are brought together.

7. An educational device for instruction in playing games comprising twomembers hinged together so as to move toward and from one another,book-like, means for supporting said members atthe hinged edge in aninclined position upon a suitable supporting surface, whereby one of themembers can be swung upwardly and forwardly from the other member aboutits hinged connection thereto, a pivot pin carried by and projectingfromthe innerfaee of the relatively moving member, a disc removably androtatably mounted upon said pin, said movable member having a sightopening-therein through which a portion of the disc is visible, dischaving, upon the face lying against the movable member, a-plurality ofindications of the advisable order of playing rocedure for-a selectedpossible playing con ition that may confront a player and whichindications may be 'brougt successively into view through the sightopening when the disc .is whereby the ovable member a plurality of theadvisable order of' playing said disc may be applied to the movablemember I .and thedatter moved into contact with the other niemberwithout likelihood of observing the instructions thereon, said pinextending through the abutting face of the relatively stationary memberwhen-the member-s are brought together and interlockingglierewitlhtdireyent separationfof the memers. i i

8. An educational device for ihstruction in playing ames comprising aframe having a ront we 1 articulat'ely connected thereto for movementtoward and from the same, a pivot carried by the front wall so as'toproject from-the rear face thereof, a disc removably pivoted upon saidpivot and having u on one acela plurality of indications of a visablemoves or plays to be made b a player havin a selected possible ban orcondition, sa d indications being arranged successively inthe order inwhich the plays or moves should be made,-said front wall having a sightaperture therein through which the indicati'ons are successively visiblewhen the disc is rotated upon said pivot with the indication carryingface disposed against the front wall. c

l 9. The educational device substantially as set forth in claim 6 inwhich the pin has an "enlarged head at its free end whereby when thedisc is placed over the same, it will be held upon the pin, by reason ofits head, while the disc and said one of the members is moved upwardlyand against the other.

10. In an educational device, a frame, a prop hinged to the rear of theframe so as to be swung into a position at right angles thereto, and alocking member also hinged to the frame for movement about an axis atright angles to the axis of the rop, said prop and locking member beinga apted to interlock when the prop is'at right angles to the looselyhinged together for'relative movement'toward and from one another,booklike, and also laterally of one another to alimited extent, meansfor supporting said members upon an, edge wherebyone of the members canbe swung toward and from the other and also given a limited movementlnqa vert cal direction, a pincarriedby one of the members so asto-project toward the other member, said pin having a flange there- 'onspaced from-the member carrying it, said other member having a key-holeaperture,

the wider part of which will permit the flange of the pin to pass, andthenarrow part of which will permit the shank of the pin to pass gatherand the movable one elevated slightand prevent passage of the flangewhereby when the members are brought, to-

when the elevated member is owered the shank of the pin will be carriedinto the nar- 5 row part of the aperture to interlock the memberstogether, and a disc removably mounted on the pin and carryin successivedirections as to the laying 05 the game when confronted with a selectedpossible hand or condition, one of the members having a sight openingthrou h which the directions are 'successively-visi le, when the disc isrotated, in the order in which the directions shouldbe acted upon.

12'. An educational device for instruction in playing games comprisingtwo members loosely hinged together for relative movement toward andfrom one another, booklike, and also laterally of one another to alimited extent, means for su porting said membersupon an edge where yone of the members can be swung toward and from the other and also givena limited movement in a vertical direction, a pin carried by one of themembers so as to project'jtoward the other member, said pin having aflan thereon spaced from the member carrying it, said other memberhaving an edge over which ,or moves should be made. the flange of thepinpasses when themembers are given'a relative vertical movement, wherebywhen the members are brou ht together with one carrying the pine evatedover the locking edge, and when the elevated.

member is lowered the flange of the pin will be hooked over the saidlocking edge to interlock the members to ther, and a disc removably"mounted on t e in and carrying successive directions as to t e playingof the game when confronted with a selected ssible hand or condition,one of the mem rs having a sight opening throu h which the directionsare successively visi le, when the disc is rotated, in the order inwhich the directions should be acted upon.

13. An educational device for instruction in playing games and the like,comprising a slpporting member, and an element remov-' a y mountedonsaid member for movement relatively thereto while mounted thereon,said element. havin thereon display characters representing a visablesuccessive moves or lays to be made by a player confronted wit aselected possible hand or pla ing condition, said sup rting member avinga portion cooperating with the element to direct attention successivelyto said characters, durin relative movement of the member and e ement,in the order in which the plays In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribemy signature.

ELBERT R. TILLINGHA'ST.

